Lithuania

European champions Liverpool stepped up a gear to snuff out Lithuania's FBK Kaunas overnight, recovering from a goal down to take a 3-1 lead into the return leg of their Champions League second round qualifier.

Seven eastern European allies have joined NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organisation] in a triumphant ceremony but the expansion could slow deployments and has angered Russia by shifting the 55-year-old trans-Atlantic alliance to its borders.

Thousands of people have called for the resignation of Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas who is embroiled in a scandal over alleged links between his office and organised crime, while his supporters held a counter-demonstration.

Former European Cup winners Celtic got their Champions League campaign off to a flying start on Wednesday night, easing to a 4-0 away win over Lithuania's Kaunas in the first leg of their second qualifying round tie.